I want to start shooting clays and need info please

[megatronrules]

I don't really know where to start as I've never shot clays before but it looks like alot of fun and I think I'd enjoy it alot so here goes. Should I get and over/under shotgun for this if which caliber 12 or 20 gauge?,slugs or which load is best for clay shooting? Can you recommend a good shotgun for this for a newbie I saw a browning citori that I really like its a nice o/u I think for the money,But I might splurge and get a beretta of some kind they are absoulutly beautiful gun works of art even. This may sound like a stupid question but do the make something that launchs the clays for you to shoot at? As you can tell I'am very new to the whole clay shooting thing and am looking for any and all the info you can give me on this thanks.

 

[sm]

megatronrules

Welcome to Shotguns!

There are a number of Clay Sports events. Trap, Skeet , Sporting Clays , Five Stand are the most popular - there are many others. Difference in the sports require specific needs. For example , Skeet requires a more open choke, Trap a tighter one.

Most all clubs restrict the user to # 7.5 shot or smaller. Slugs and larger shot are used for other Shotgun events sometimes referred to as "gaming"., defensive shooting or combined with 3 gun events . A WHOLE different deal.

For Clay Sports [ any sport for that matter] Do not buy a gun first! Go to a range and visit - preferably with a friend that can show you the ropes.

May I suggest the following:

- IN the Float at top of forum there are links to various threads on this. Besides Dave McC , look for posts by PJR, ysr_racer, kudu ,TrapperReady Will Fennell for starters....there are others, I did not mean to omit anyone - jsut didn't want to overwhelm our guest.

For example ysr_ racer recently posted this reply :
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94807

- Buy Bob Brister's Shotgunning: The Art and the Science though an older publication - this book answers the most often asked questions we see on this forum . Try www.abebooks.com. Read this book. Re- read this book.

- Gun fit is very important - try a variety of guns before you buy. If the range rents them, great. If not - there are many folks , Men and Women that will allow you to try thier gun. You will be able to pick out the Sages of experience, pay attention.

- I suggest after you decide which sport - stick with that one. Learning new skills takes practice and repetition to ingrain. Sensory Overload at the beginning phase of learning can be confusing, turn one off of shooting.

- 4 Rules Always -
-Have Fun Always.

HTH

 

[kudu]

megatronrules

Welcome to shotguns, sm pretty well covered the basics, depending where you are at in Florida there should be a shotgun club near you. The only one I am familiar with is one in Winterhaven that I shot a tournament at years ago.

Do go through the archives for in depth info and then if you have specific questions ask away.

 

[Clemson]

Most sporting clays ranges will rent you a shotgun for a nominal fee. That is a great way to try before you buy. Rent an O/U for one round and a semi-auto for another.

Clemson

 

[megatronrules]

Thanks guys the first reply did cover it pretty much and Iam using the search mode to find even more. I'am gonna look for shotgun clubs where I am and see what I can find thanks again.

 

[ssr]

http://www.claytargetsonline.com/list.php/FL

 

[sm]

Thanks for the link!

Now I can look up some the places I've been to. I just followed some folks in / and back out. Getting older does make the "forgetter" work better. Once upon a time [tm] - I was doing my rendition of Paladin. I had a truck full of guns, ammo and shooting stuff. Just wandering around , shoot, wander some more - shoot.

At the time I thought I was "lost" ...CRSam informs me I was using "alternate routes"...and didn't know it.

 

[Spinner]

Megatron, I'm about half a step ahead of you and I'm busy falling into the pitfalls, learning and having fun along the way.

I first tried trap about a month ago and I'm on a steep, but enjoyable, learning curve.

For a start I wholeheartedly agree with sm about buying and READING Bob Brister's book "Shotgunning, the Art and the Science". An excellent book and it'll have you well ahead of the game before you even pick up a gun. While you're reading the book, find a club near you and get someone to give you a tour ... preferably while people are shooting. This lets you find out how friendly and accomodating the club is, lets you have a look at their facilities and lets you see first hand some clay shooting.

If you can get a friend who shoots clays to take you along the first time. If you haven't got a friend ask the club if they could provide an introduction or a coach to get you started. Even if it costs you a nominal fee, it'll be worth it, believe me.

If you want to learn rapidly get yourself a good coach and LISTEN to what they're telling you. Ask questions, make sure you understand, remember to have fun. You can make do without a coach, but it'll be more challenging and may take you longer.

In essence all of the clay games are simple. All you're trying to do is direct a cloud of lead shot to be in the same space that's occupied by a flying disc at the same time .... simple. Its the doing it thats the fun though.

Get into it, its a load of fun.

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